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MBA at ESADE vs. WHU


Posted Nov 25, 2019 19:21

Hi!

I'm Thai and currently working for 4 years in marketing. Now I'm deciding between MBA at ESADE (accepted with 25% scholarship) and at WHU. I'm on the process for interviewing with WHU. However, if I got accepted into both programs, I will have only 3 days to decide which one to choose. I am B1 in Spanish and A2 in German. My aim is to learn about business and analytics more since I don't have business background. Also, I would like to find a job in Europe and work there 1-2 years after graduation.

ESADE strikes me with their high ranking (around #17 QS ranking) but the Spain's economy is a major downside so it might be harder to secure a job there. However, I'm not sure if the school's reputation will easily get me a job in other European country or not. Also, the tuition fee can be a killer but with some scholarship, I would be able to manage it.

The only point that WHU get my interest is their career service and tuition fee. With 98% of their class stay in Germany after graduation (from what I talked with one of the recruiters), I think I might have a better change to get a job there.Plus, their tuition fee will lift some weight off my shoulder of course.

Both schools offer language course so that's a plus.

Any suggestion or thoughts here?

Thank you!
Hi!

I'm Thai and currently working for 4 years in marketing. Now I'm deciding between MBA at ESADE (accepted with 25% scholarship) and at WHU. I'm on the process for interviewing with WHU. However, if I got accepted into both programs, I will have only 3 days to decide which one to choose. I am B1 in Spanish and A2 in German. My aim is to learn about business and analytics more since I don't have business background. Also, I would like to find a job in Europe and work there 1-2 years after graduation.

ESADE strikes me with their high ranking (around #17 QS ranking) but the Spain's economy is a major downside so it might be harder to secure a job there. However, I'm not sure if the school's reputation will easily get me a job in other European country or not. Also, the tuition fee can be a killer but with some scholarship, I would be able to manage it.

The only point that WHU get my interest is their career service and tuition fee. With 98% of their class stay in Germany after graduation (from what I talked with one of the recruiters), I think I might have a better change to get a job there.Plus, their tuition fee will lift some weight off my shoulder of course.

Both schools offer language course so that's a plus.

Any suggestion or thoughts here?

Thank you!
quote

Posted Nov 25, 2019 20:37

I would tend towards WHU.
I would tend towards WHU.
quote

Posted Nov 25, 2019 20:46

I would choose ESADE, and it's not even close.

I would argue that if you're good enough to get into ESADE then you're good enough to shoot for a top UK program where there is no language barrier. Language skills matter. It's everything. But if you're more advanced in Spanish then you should try to improve there. Plus ESADE offers an 18 month program which gives you more time to learn the language, but more importantly there's an opportunity to complete an MBA-level internship which could be used to change functions, if you wanted, or be the entry point into one of the top firms.

The one year programs in Germany just don't have the corporate connections/partnerships as some of the elite one-years. If you go to Germany the hiring managers will be too risk averse to hire you on a functional change without seeing relevant work experience on your CV.

About me: Non-EU citizen, WHU MBA graduate

[Edited by TonySnow on Nov 26, 2019]

I would choose ESADE, and it's not even close.

I would argue that if you're good enough to get into ESADE then you're good enough to shoot for a top UK program where there is no language barrier. Language skills matter. It's everything. But if you're more advanced in Spanish then you should try to improve there. Plus ESADE offers an 18 month program which gives you more time to learn the language, but more importantly there's an opportunity to complete an MBA-level internship which could be used to change functions, if you wanted, or be the entry point into one of the top firms.

The one year programs in Germany just don't have the corporate connections/partnerships as some of the elite one-years. If you go to Germany the hiring managers will be too risk averse to hire you on a functional change without seeing relevant work experience on your CV.

About me: Non-EU citizen, WHU MBA graduate
quote

Posted Nov 27, 2019 19:10

ESADE strikes me with their high ranking (around #17 QS ranking) but the Spain's economy is a major downside so it might be harder to secure a job there. However, I'm not sure if the school's reputation will easily get me a job in other European country or not. Also, the tuition fee can be a killer but with some scholarship, I would be able to manage it.

What's going to make it difficult is your language skills. I doubt that even in 18 months of studying full-time you'll be able to get your Spanish up to fluency level. If you could take some time before that for immersion, that would help.

Why not study in a country where you already speak the language fluently?
[quote]ESADE strikes me with their high ranking (around #17 QS ranking) but the Spain's economy is a major downside so it might be harder to secure a job there. However, I'm not sure if the school's reputation will easily get me a job in other European country or not. Also, the tuition fee can be a killer but with some scholarship, I would be able to manage it.[/quote]
What's going to make it difficult is your language skills. I doubt that even in 18 months of studying full-time you'll be able to get your Spanish up to fluency level. If you could take some time before that for immersion, that would help.

Why not study in a country where you already speak the language fluently?
quote

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